WASHINGTONIAN 40 UNDER 40

Hernandez is an actor, dancer, choreographer, playwright, and self-described “B-girl” who fuses theater and hip-hop for packed houses. If you haven’t heard of her, it might be because her target audience is a little younger. Hernandez is known for children’s theater and, via her production company, B-Fly Entertainment, has taught workshops for 10,000-plus students across the US and here at home.

On failure: “I fail often, and I fall hard whenever I don’t follow my gut instinct. It’s disheartening when I start with such a strong vision and the end result is watered down in an effort to please everyone.”